The operation is a series of joint Iraqi and Coalition division- and brigade-level operations to pursue and neutralize remaining al-Qaeda in Iraq and other extremist elements. Phantom Phoenix will synchronize lethal and non-lethal effects to exploit recent security gains and disrupt terrorist support zones and enemy command and control.

“Working closely with the Iraqi Security Forces, we will continue to pursue al-Qaeda and other extremists wherever they attempt to take sanctuary,” Odierno said. “Iraqi citizens continue to reject extremist elements. We are determined not to allow these brutal elements to have respite anywhere in Iraq.”

The Iraqi people have played and will continue to play an important role by standing up against terrorist elements.

“Iraqis are not passively allowing extremists to conduct their criminal activities,” Odierno said. “We are continuing to see citizens joining Concerned Local Citizen groups, provide tips for criminals and weapons and ammunition caches, and cooperate with the Government of Iraq. This is another step aimed at providing Iraqis long-term sustainable security.”

The non-lethal aspects of this operation are designed to improve delivery of essential services, economic development and local governance capacity.

as a student of Vietnam, this made me immediately think of the Phoenix Program, neutralize was the buzz word then for eliminating the VCI.

In Vietnam, the Phoenix was setup by the CIA as ICEX, intelligence collection and Exploitation, then standardized across the nation as Phoenix before being passed off on the military. Did the CIA have a role in the surge? could this be a similar genesis?